Latest developments.
A continuously updated record of arrests, sentencings, transfers, and law changes drawn from public reporting in Russia, Belarus, and Central Asia. Each entry links back to its original source.
9
Critical alerts
16
New sentences
7
Arrests
2
Past 24 hours
"Center T" declared an extremist organization
The organization known as "Center T" has been officially designated as an extremist organization. This legal designation typically leads to the banning of the group's activities and potential prosecution of its members.
Read full reportKaluzhanina, who served time for a comment about the FSB explosion, detained at Minsk airport
Kaluzhanina, an individual who previously served a prison sentence due to a social media comment regarding an explosion at the FSB, has been detained. The detention occurred at the Minsk airport. The specific charges for this new detention are not detailed in the headline.
Krasnodar resident sentenced to 13 years in prison for transferring 100,000 rubles to the AFU
A woman from Krasnodar has been sentenced to 13 years in a penal colony. She was found guilty of transferring 100,000 rubles to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Author of 'Ice Under the Major's Feet' Telegram channel sentenced to 16 years in prison for treason
The administrator of the Telegram channel 'Ice Under the Major's Feet' has received a 16-year prison sentence. The conviction was handed down in connection with a high treason case.
21-year-old Moscow region resident sentenced to 12 years in prison for filming military facilities for Ukrainian intelligence
A 21-year-old man from the Moscow region has been sentenced to 12 years in a penal colony. He was convicted of filming military objects to provide information to Ukrainian intelligence services.
Khakassia resident sentenced to 11 years in prison for calling for financial aid to Ukraine and comments on Crimea Bridge explosion and Makiivka casualties
A resident of the Khakassia region has been sentenced to 11 years in a penal colony. The conviction stems from calls to provide financial support to Ukraine and social media comments regarding the Crimea Bridge explosion and military deaths in Makiivka.
Court decides to deport foreigner from Russia over review of a skirt on Wildberries
A court has ordered the deportation of a foreign national from Russia following a review they posted about a skirt on the Wildberries marketplace. The legal action was triggered by the content of the consumer review.
Local historian from Tatarstan sentenced over anti-war post and appeal to Freedom of Russia Legion
A local historian in Tatarstan has been convicted for publishing an anti-war post and an appeal to the Freedom of Russia Legion. The court has issued a sentence following the proceedings.
Security forces raid head of local Yabloko party and party member in Yekaterinburg
Law enforcement officials conducted a raid targeting the leader of the local Yabloko political party and another party member. The incident took place in Yekaterinburg.
Criminal case opened against former Navalny headquarters staffer in Ufa under 'foreign agent' article
A former staff member of Alexei Navalny's headquarters in Ufa is facing criminal charges. The case has been initiated under legislation targeting 'foreign agents'.
Employee of a Kursk defense plant died in prison hospital following high treason trial with ex-wife
An employee of a defense plant in Kursk has died while receiving medical treatment in a prison hospital. He had previously been tried alongside his former spouse on charges of high treason.
Head of Moscow Zen Center sentenced to six years in prison over military 'fake news' case
The head of a Zen center in Moscow has been sentenced to six years in a penal colony. The conviction is related to charges of spreading 'fake news' about the military.
Anarchist Azat Miftakhov transferred to a colony beyond the Arctic Circle
Anarchist Azat Miftakhov has been transferred to a penal colony located in the Arctic region. This move follows his previous conviction and sentencing.
'Russian LGBT Network' declared an extremist organization
The 'Russian LGBT Network' has been officially designated as an extremist organization by authorities. This legal designation impacts the group's ability to operate within Russia.
Criminal case opened against Tula resident for insulting religious feelings after attending procession in 'Satan mask'
A resident of Tula faces criminal charges for insulting the feelings of believers. The case was initiated after the individual attended a religious procession wearing a 'Satan mask'.
Pensioner Oleg Tyryshkin, convicted over comment about Akhmat Kadyrov, dies in custody
Oleg Tyryshkin, a pensioner serving a sentence for a comment regarding Akhmat Kadyrov, has died while in prison. He had been previously convicted for his online remarks.
Leader of Irkutsk Yabloko, who attempted to organize a protest against blockages, arrested for 12 days
The leader of the Yabloko party branch in Irkutsk was detained for attempting to organize a protest against internet blockages. He has been placed under administrative arrest for 12 days.
66-year-old woman in Zaporozhye region sentenced to 14 years for purchasing Ukrainian military bonds
A 66-year-old female resident of a village in the Zaporozhye region has been sentenced to 14 years in a penal colony. The conviction is related to the purchase of Ukrainian military bonds.
Amur Region resident sentenced to 18 years for preparing an explosion on the Trans-Siberian Railway
A resident of the Amur region has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. The individual was convicted of preparing an explosion on the Trans-Siberian Railway.
LGBTQ+ media 'Parni+' and Moscow Community Center declared extremist organizations
Russian authorities have officially designated the LGBTQ+ media outlet 'Parni+' and the Moscow Community Center as extremist organizations. This legal designation subjects the entities and their activities to criminal prosecution.
Navalny's lawyer Igor Sergunin released from custody
Igor Sergunin, a lawyer for the late opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has been released. His release marks the end of his recent period of detention.
Court of Appeals upholds imprisonment of Primorye politician with skin cancer, despite positions of Supreme Court and FSIN
A cassation court has decided to keep a politician from the Primorye region in a penal colony. This decision was made despite medical concerns regarding the individual's skin cancer and opposing stances from the Supreme Court and the Federal Penitentiary Service.
Oleg Prikhodko, a blacksmith convicted three times after the annexation of Crimea, will face trial again for conversations in a penal colony — now on treason charges
Oleg Prikhodko, a blacksmith who has previously been convicted three times, is facing a new trial. He is accused of treason stemming from conversations held while serving time in a penal colony.
Pensioner from Moscow Region Sentenced to 7 Years in Prison in 'USSR Citizens' Case
A female pensioner from the Moscow region has been sentenced to seven years in a penal colony. The conviction is part of the legal proceedings regarding the 'USSR citizens' case.
Moscow Region Court Dismissed Case on Military 'Fakes' Against Yabloko Party Member
A court in the Moscow region has terminated a criminal case involving allegations of spreading false information about the military. The case was originally brought against a member of the Yabloko political party.
Searches Conducted at Eksmo Publishing House Management Regarding LGBT Literature Case
Law enforcement authorities conducted searches at the offices of Eksmo publishing house management. The raids are connected to an ongoing investigation into LGBT-themed literature.
Negligence Case Opened Following Death of Christian Vegan in Prison
Authorities have initiated a criminal investigation into negligence following the death of a prisoner known as 'Christian Vegan' in a penal colony. The case aims to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death.
New Case Opened Against Crimean Tatar with Brain Tumor Who Has Been Seeking Release for Two Years
A new criminal case has been opened against a Crimean Tatar man suffering from a brain tumor. The individual has been fighting for his release for the past two years.
RUSSIA: Prosecutions for unlawful "missionary activity" – 2024 to 2025
Russian authorities continue to prosecute individuals for unlawful missionary activity and for expressing anti-war sentiments, often citing extremism laws or "discrediting" the armed forces. At least 90 people were prosecuted in 2024 and 34 in the first four months of 2025 for alleged missionary violations. Individuals from various religious groups, including Baptists, Muslims, Apostolic Orthodox, Zen Buddhists, and Jehovah's Witnesses, face fines, imprisonment, and ongoing trials. The article highlights specific cases, including that of Archbishop Grigory Mikhnov-Vaytenko, Eduard Charov, Ilya Vasilyev, Nikolay Romanyuk, and Dmitry Terebilov.
Christian preacher Khristolyub Vegan, convicted for YouTube video, dies in prison colony
Christian preacher Khristolyub Vegan, who was convicted for a video on YouTube, has died in a prison colony. The news highlights the harsh conditions and potential consequences faced by individuals persecuted for online expression in Russia. The cause of death has not been officially released.
March of Chinese workers and the prohibition of a religious procession opposite the Kremlin. News of freedom of assembly
A march of Chinese workers took place. A religious procession opposite the Kremlin was prohibited by authorities. The article concerns news related to freedom of assembly in Russia.
Resident of Kherson region sentenced to 14 years in prison for espionage and treason for allegedly передаче Ukraine data about the Russian army
A resident of the Kherson region was sentenced to 14 years in a penal colony on charges of espionage and treason. He was accused of передаче data about the Russian army to Ukraine. The court found him guilty.
Artist Lyudmila Razumova reports on aggressive cellmate
Artist Lyudmila Razumova reported about an aggressive cellmate. The details of the situation are not fully described, but it highlights conditions of detention.
63-year-old cook from Novorossiysk sentenced to 13 years in prison for transmitting data about Black Sea Fleet ships and air defense facilities to Ukraine
A 63-year-old cook from Novorossiysk has been sentenced to 13 years in prison. She was convicted of передачу данных (transferring data) about the Black Sea Fleet and air defense systems to Ukraine. The court found her guilty and handed down the lengthy sentence.
Protocol drawn up against OVD-Info press secretary for participation in an 'undesirable organization'
A protocol has been drawn up against the press secretary of OVD-Info for allegedly participating in an organization deemed 'undesirable' by Russian authorities. The specific details of the alleged participation are not clear from the headline. This could lead to administrative or criminal charges.
Protocol drawn up against OVD-Info press secretary for participation in an 'undesirable organization'
A protocol was drawn up against the press secretary of OVD-Info for allegedly participating in an organization deemed 'undesirable' by Russian authorities. This action is part of the ongoing pressure against independent media and human rights organizations.
Sentence upheld for anti-war blogger from Shuya, Sergei Veselov
The sentence for anti-war blogger Sergei Veselov from Shuya has been upheld. The specific details of the original sentence and the charges against him were not provided in the headline.
Sentence upheld for anti-war blogger from Shuya, Sergei Veselov
The sentence against Sergei Veselov, an anti-war blogger from Shuya, has been upheld. The original sentence and the charges against him are not specified in the headline, but it indicates a negative outcome for Veselov's appeal.
Supreme Court of Mordovia overturns stricter prison conditions for human rights activist Sergei Maryin
The Supreme Court of Mordovia overturned the decision to impose stricter prison conditions on human rights activist Sergei Maryin. This represents a positive development for Maryin, who will now be subject to less restrictive conditions.
Second Maoist supporter arrested for 10 days after protest against Telegram blocking
A second supporter of Maoism was arrested and sentenced to 10 days in jail following a protest against the blocking of Telegram. This indicates ongoing repression against political activists and internet freedom advocates.
Resident of Donetsk region sentenced to 22 years in prison in the case of attempted murder of the local head of the Federal Penitentiary Service
A resident of the Donetsk region was sentenced to 22 years in prison. The conviction relates to a case involving the attempted murder of the local head of the Federal Penitentiary Service (GUFSIN). The woman's identity and the specific circumstances of the attempted murder are not detailed in the headline.
Second supporter of Maoism arrested for 10 days after protest against blocking Telegram
A second supporter of Maoism was arrested and sentenced to 10 days in jail. The arrest follows a protest against the blocking of Telegram.
Supreme Court of Mordovia overturned the tightening of prison regime for human rights activist Sergei Maryin
The Supreme Court of Mordovia overturned the decision to tighten the prison regime for human rights activist Sergei Maryin. The initial decision to tighten the regime was appealed, leading to its reversal.
Search underway at the office of independent publication 'Sapa' in Vladikavkaz
A search is being conducted at the offices of the independent publication 'Sapa' in Vladikavkaz. This suggests potential pressure or harassment against independent media in the region.
Search underway in Vladikavkaz at the office of the independent publication 'Sapa'
A search is being conducted in Vladikavkaz at the editorial office of the independent publication "Sapa". The reason for the search is currently unknown.
Artist arrested for a comment commits suicide in a pre-trial detention center in Komsomolsk-on-Amur
An artist, who was arrested due to a comment, committed suicide in a pre-trial detention center in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The charges are not specified, but the suicide suggests a dire situation for the arrested individual.
Artist arrested for comment commits suicide in pre-trial detention center in Komsomolsk-on-Amur
An artist who was arrested for a comment has committed suicide in a pre-trial detention center in Komsomolsk-on-Amur. The artist's identity and the nature of the comment are not specified in the title.
Criminal case opened because of a photo of a kulich and a sex toy with the inscription 'Christ is Risen!'
A criminal case has been opened due to a photo featuring a kulich (Easter cake) and a sex toy with the inscription 'Christ is Risen!'. This suggests a potential charge related to offending religious feelings.
Criminal case opened because of photo of kulich and sex toy with the inscription 'Christ is Risen!'
A criminal case has been opened due to a photograph featuring a kulich (Easter cake) and a sex toy with the inscription "Christ is Risen!". The specific charges are not mentioned in the title.
Convicted politician Alexander Shestun declares a dry hunger strike in a prison hospital
Convicted politician Alexander Shestun has declared a dry hunger strike in a prison hospital. This signifies a drastic measure of protest against his imprisonment and potentially against conditions within the prison system.
A daily digest of new entries and case-file changes. Free, easy to unsubscribe.
Cases the editorial desk has flagged as needing immediate international attention.
A name, a city, a date — that's enough to start a new file. The editorial desk takes it from there.
Browse every documented case
2,000+ structured prisoner records — searchable by country, charge, or category.